Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2006-07: Brayden McNabb skated with the Kootenay Ice of the WHL this season.

2007-08: In his first full season with Kootenay (WHL), McNabb netted two goals and 11 points total. He registered another helper through 10 playoff games.

2008-09: The Kootenay Ice (WHL) staple returned for another season with the club. In 67 games, the D-man potted 10 goals and 36 points. His most impressive tally was in the PIM category: a career-high 140 minutes in the box. He also joined up with the Canada National U18 squad, but failed to register any points in six games at the WJC-18. McNabb was chosen in the third round, 66th overall, of the 2009 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres.

2009-10: McNabb was back for a third go with Kootenay, taking a step forward in his development, following his draft. In his 64 games, the Saskatchewan kid would net 17 goals and 40 assists, but saw his penalty minutes take a slight cut from 140 to 121.

2010-11: McNabb was named to the WHL’s First All-Star team and his Kootenay Ice won the league’s playoff title en route to a Memorial Cup appearance. McNabb’s 51 assists were most on the team.He scored 21 goals with a +25 plus/minus and was assessed 95 PMs. Seven of his 21 goals came on the power play. In the WHL playoffs McNabb scored 3 goals with 24 assists and was +23 with 37 PMs. In the Memorial Cup tournament, McNabb had 3 assists and was -2 in four games. He was suspended for one game at the tournament for a hit on Owen Sound’s Joey Hishon (COL).

2011-12: McNabb made his NHL debut as a 20-year-old in late November and skated in 21 games before being returned to AHL Rochester. He returned to the Sabres for four games at the end of the season, skating over 25 minutes and recording a pair of assists in the season finale against Boston. He finished with 1 goal and 7 assists and was minus-one with 15 penalty minutes, averaging just under 18 minutes per game, in 25 games with Buffalo. Appearing in 45 games for Rochester, he was the Americans’ second-leading scorer amongst defensemen with 5 goals and 25 assists and was plus-15 with 31 penalty minutes. He had 1 assist and was minus-one in the Amerks’ three-game playoff series with the Toronto Marlies.

2012-13: McNabb skated in 62 games for the Sabres’ AHL affiliate in Rochester before suffering a season-ending knee injury in late March. The leading scorer amongst Amerks defensemen, he scored 5 goals with 31 assists and was -1 with 50 penalty minutes. Rochester finished second in the North Division and were swept by first place Toronto in the first round of the playoffs.

Talent Analysis

The former Kootenay Ice captain is a big-bodied defenseman who can throw his weight around and plays in all situations. The biggest knock against McNabb is his skating ability, but that has improved recently. Scouts think McNabb can play with an even more physical edge, and he certainly can, but a lot of the skills McNabb will develop depends on what kind of role the Sabres would like him to play.

Future

McNabb is just on the cusp of making the Sabres lineup, though Mark Pysyk leapfrogged him on the depth chart last year. McNabb has a very good chance to become a full-time player in Buffalo, but he faces a lot of competition. Should he falter, McNabb will be one of Rochester’s top defencemen and will be one of the first call-ups should the need arise.

McNabb was dealt by the Buffalo Sabres to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Hudson Fasching and Nicolas Deslauriers at the 2014 NHL Trade Deadline.

Photo: Martin Jones of the Los Angeles Kings has struggled to replicate his strong play of last season (courtesy of Minas Panagiotakis/Icon Sportswire)

The Los Angeles Kings have had an up and down season in 2014-15. They are a team that has struggled during the regular season year after year, but this year the team has faced other challenges. With suspensions, injuries, and inconsistent play from several veteran players, the Kings have turned towards some of the younger members to step forward. With a history of young players making a difference (Dwight King and Jordan Nolan in 2012, Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli in 2014), it remains to be seen who will be the 2014-15 spark.

Photo: Brayden McNabb has received significant ice time with the Kings in 2014-15 and looks to have found a home on the Los Angeles blue line. (courtesy of Harry How/Getty Images)

Without having too many high selections in recent drafts, the Los Angeles Kings have done quite well in growing their pipeline in areas of need. While the graduation of Martin Jones does hurt the goalie pipeline, they continue to stock up on useful centers and defenseman. While the wings might not be top-tier, there are some role players and quality players peppered throughout.

Photo: Colin Miller should see increased ice time with the Manchester Monarchs in 2014-15. (courtesy of Fred Kfoury/Icon Sportswire)

With the current state of several Los Angeles Kings prospects it seems like there are plenty of questions to be asked to start this 2014-15 season. The organization is reaching an apex with several of their prospect groups and 2014-15 seems like a year where plays could be made.

Tanner Pearson recorded 12 points in 24 playoff games for the Los Angeles Kings en route to a Stanley Cup Championship. (courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Kings had a number of prospects step up and have statement years in 2013-14, but the Fall 2014 Top 20 list features a number of prospects who are going to be pushed by new challenges. Not only is there a new No. 1 prospect on the list, but nine players of the 20 are going to be potentially looking at their first full year in their respective leagues. The Kings also acquired a few new faces via draft and trade that are a welcomed addition to the list as well as the pipeline. With new surroundings, a big step up for many, and at least a few heading towards graduation, the list could look very different come next summer.

Photo: Winger Valentin Zykov, the 37th overall selection in 2013, was the Kings’ top pick last summer. The Stanley Cup champs still have their 2014 first round pick, slotted at 29th overall (courtesy of Noah Graham/NHLI via Getty Images)

Even though the 2013-14 season that saw the Los Angeles Kings wrap up their second championship in three seasons just ended less than a few weeks ago, it is already time to think about the future.